I have succumbed to cute

Toddler pushes dog around in play car
http://msnvideo.msn.com/?videoid=f529e2f9-1a21-4478-aa75-671f2f985915&src=v5:share:sharepermalink:&from=sharepermalink

Pictures courtesy of Don

Dogs Align with Magnetic Field When Pooping: Study

Scientists who studied 70 dogs for two years find there's a scientific method to the position they settle on to do their business

When your dog decides to relieve itself, it’s a good bet that they’ll be positioned along Earth’s magnetic field, a new study says.

A team of biologists spent two years measuring the direction of the body axis in 70 dogs as they pooped (that happened a total of 1,893 times) and urinated (a staggering 5,582 times). Dog breeds included in the study were beagles, dachshunds, fox terriers, and others.

What they found is that dogs prefer to potty with their body aligned the north-south axis, as pictured (photo credit: Frontiers in Zoology), proving for the first time that magnetic sensitivity exists in canines, according to the study in the science journal Frontiers in Zoology

But, when the magnetic field become unstable, like during a magnetic storm, a pattern isn't as easy to see

This sensitivity was a reasonable expectation, the study says, given the “extraordinary homing abilities” of dogs and their close relation to red foxes, coyotes and grey wolves.

The biologists say the study is important as researchers continue to uncover more about magnetoreception, the internal compass inside living organisms. 

www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/Report-Dogs-Align-with-Magnetic-Fields-While-Pooping-Urinating-238914061.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_NYBrand

Fletcher the Lab in NJ needs help

This is Fletcher. He is currently in the care of a Vet in NJ. A copy of her letter explaining his situation is below. Do you know anyone that can help him? 

 

"My name is Michelle Lee. I am a practicing small animal veterinarian in northern NJ. I am writing to you to see if you can help me find a new home for one of my patients. This is Fletcher. He is a sweet 7-year-old neutered male who has been a patient of mine for several years. I diagnosed him with diabetes about 2 months ago, and although his owners have attempted treatment, his disease is not well-regulated yet. Although I discussed with the owner that it may take months to find the right insulin regimen for him, the owners do not have to patience or financial resources to continue treatment or monitoring. 

Prior to his most recent blood sugar curve, the owner told me if the testing results were not good, he would opt to have Fletcher euthanized. Following the most recent blood sugar curve (which still showed inadequate control), I talked with him to see if he would be amenable to getting Fletcher re-homed if I could find a suitable person to adopt Fletcher, knowing he has a lifelong medical condition (although obviously treatable). The owner is open to that. 

I discussed with situation with my employer, and she agreed to keep him at our hospital until we can find him a new home. However, if we can't find a new owner within a reasonable amount of time, we will have to face facts and euthanize him. 

I am hoping you can offer some assistance, whether it be finding him a responsible foster or even just spreading the word.

Thank you for your time. Look forward to hearing from you."

Sincerely,

Michelle Lee, DVM

West Caldwell Animal Hospital

(973) 226-3727

Please disregard, the meeting was canceled

To the group:

I was contacted by Nicole from Brian Gibons office.

he's the attorney for Leonia.

Only Susan and myself are on the list to be contacted.

I insisted that we all be included.

There is a meeting to discuss the Mr and Mrs Wright issue.

6pm

12/30

Leonia Annex

I believe we should have a large turn out

of well spoken,

behaved and thoughtful people

That leaves me out

David Shapiro
DPS53@aol.com

The Leonia Municipal Annex is located 305 Beechwood Place. It is on the corner of Broad Avenue and Beechwood Place. Behind the sculpture garden.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Leonia&state=NJ&address=305+Beechwood+Pl&zipcode=07605-1712&country=US&latitude=40.863519&longitude=-73.986483&geocode=ADDRESS

15 Homemade Holiday Pet Treats: ‘Bone-afide’ Christmas Recipes for Fido & Fluffy

With the holidays right around the corner, many people are scouring the crowded stores in hopes of finding those last-minute gifts, busy wrapping presents and/or preparing for that big holiday meal. But in the hustle-and-bustle of a busy and hectic holiday season, many folks overlook other valued members of the family – our furry, four-legged friends.

Whether your family consists of a Fluffy or a Fido, it’s important to remember our beloved pets during the holidays too! And you don’t need to spend a fortune either. Why not whip up a batch of homemade pet treats that are safe to eat and guaranteed to be tail-waggin’ “bone-afide” hits? Grab a few of your favorite holiday cookie cutters and you are on your way to being the cat's meow and the top dog in your house!

While the holidays can hold additional hazards and dangers for our furry friends such as tinsel, certain table scraps and poisonous plants, it is important to remember certain ingredients humans consume can cause serious illness or can be deadly to pets!

Recipes for Homemade Holiday Doggy Treats

• Gourmutt Holiday Peanut Butter Treats – This simple recipe sounds dog-gone good! You’ll need molasses, natural peanut butter and oil! There is also another recipe for ChristmasCarob Mint Dog Cookies too!
• Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats – This top-rated recipe calls for canned pumpkin, peanut butter and ground cinnamon.
• Peanut Butter Slice and Bake Biscuits – Besides smooth peanut butter, this recipe also calls for whole wheat flour, molasses, wheat germ and shredded dried beef for the topping.
• Holiday Peanut Butter Bites – Speaking of peanut butter…
• Christmas Cheese-a-licious Cookies – You’ll need low-fat Cheddar cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, whole wheat flour and canola oil. I’d skip the nuts since some nuts can cause serious upsets in pets.
• Homemade Dog Biscuits – This recipe, from Martha Stewart, has gotten some hair-raising reviews! You’ll need wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, low-sodium chicken stock and all-purpose flour for this one.
• Dog Christmas Cake Recipe – This recipe calls for wheat germ, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, molasses, canola oil, vanilla extract, an apple and 2 eggs.
• Christmas Dog Treats – Just in case Fido is watching his waistline, this minty recipe is low in fat and low in calories! You’ll need whole wheat and unbleached flour, oats, bran, dry milk, dry yeast, spearmint leaves or peppermint extract, applesauce, spinach powder or green food coloring.
• Gingerbread Bones – You’ll need all-purpose and whole wheat flour, molasses, canola oil and ginger, cinnamon and cloves for this recipe.

http://www.examiner.com/article/15-homemade-holiday-pet-treats-bone-afide-christmas-recipes-for-fido-fluffy

Making sure our canine companions have a health and happy holiday.

We don't need any surprises when it comes to health and welfare of our companions. Here is some suggestions from the American Kennel Club on how to keep our pets safe during the holidays.

DOGS AND HOLIDAYS

Thanksgiving

• Turkey bones can pose a choking hazard for dogs. Do not give turkey bones to your dog.
• Keep an eye on the holiday table and secure leftovers and garbage to prevent your dog from foraging among the holiday foods.

Christmas

• Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs. Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.
• Do not put lights on the lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn your dog.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place them out of reach.
• Avoid glass ornaments, which break easily and may cut a dog's feet or mouth.
• Do not use edible ornaments, or cranberry or popcorn strings. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to reach them.
• Keep other ornaments off the lower branches; if your dog chews or eats an ornament, he can be made sick by the materials or paint.
• Both live and artificial tree needles are sharp and indigestible. Keep your tree blocked off (with a playpen or other "fence") or in a room that is not accessible to your dog.
• Tinsel can be dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.
• Keep burning candles on high tables or mantels, out of the way of your dog's wagging tail.
• Review canine holiday gifts for safety. Small plastic toys or bones may pose choking hazards.
• Your dog may want to investigate wrapped packages; keep them out of reach.

Winter Care for Canines

General Concern

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:

• Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.
• Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
• Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
• Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.
• Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
• Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
• Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Health Tips

Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns:

• Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
• Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
• Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
• Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
• Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
• Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.
• Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.

Holiday Safeguards

The winter season brings lots of fun holiday festivities, but pet-owners should keep in mind the following special precautions:

• The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn't permit. Also, a puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead, the AKC suggests giving a gift representative of the dog to come, such as a toy, a leash, or a bed.
• Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are pet poisons! Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.
• Review holiday gifts for dogs to make sure they are safe. Items such as plastic toys and small rawhide sticks may be dangerous.
• Remove holiday lights from lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn dogs.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and may get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place wires out of reach.
• Avoid using glass ornaments. They break easily and may cut a dog's feet and mouth.
• Refrain from using edible ornaments. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to eat them. Also, commercial ornaments may contain paint or toxins in the preservatives.
• Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible. Don't leave your dog unattended in the room with the tree.
• Tinsel is dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.
• Alcohol and chocolate are toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Keep unhealthy, sweet treats and seasonal goodies out of reach.
• The holiday season is a stressful time for dogs. Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.